Egg Freezing: There may be changes in both society and child-rearing habits. However, the basic principles of fertility remain constant. Menopause often begins in women in their late 40s or early 50s. A woman’s fertility declines in the years before menopause. It is more difficult for older women to become pregnant than for younger women.
Women who are considering freezing their eggs should be aware that frozen eggs are less likely to lead to a successful pregnancy than fresh eggs. However, using frozen eggs may increase your chances of getting pregnant later.
We examine the process, cost and benefits of egg freezing in this article.
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In an interview with Zee English, Dr. Prasad Kuvalekar, Internal Medicine Consultant Physician at DPU Private Super Specialty Hospital, explains egg freezing and everything related to it.
What is egg freezing?
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a medical procedure that allows women to preserve their eggs for future use. This process involves extracting eggs from a woman’s ovaries, freezing them, and storing them for long periods of time.
Frozen eggs can be thawed, fertilized with sperm in the laboratory through a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF), and then transferred into a woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. Freezing eggs can be beneficial for many reasons.
It offers women the opportunity to preserve their fertility when they are not ready to have children but want to increase their chances of having a biological child later in life. It is generally chosen by women who wish to delay childbearing for various personal, medical or professional reasons, such as pursuing a career, undergoing medical treatment that may affect fertility such as cancer treatment, or not having a suitable partner.
egg freezing process
The process of egg freezing generally involves the following steps:
ovarian stimulation The woman receives hormonal injections to stimulate the ovaries and promote the development of multiple eggs instead of the normal single egg that is released each month.
egg retrieval Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. To collect eggs, a thin needle is inserted into the ovary, guided by ultrasound imaging.
solidifyThe eggs are then carefully frozen using a technique called vitrification. Vitrification involves rapidly cooling the eggs to extremely low temperatures, which prevents the formation of ice crystals that can damage the eggs.
storageTo maintain their viability for long periods of time, frozen eggs are stored in special cryopreservation facilities, usually in liquid nitrogen tanks.
molting and fertilization When the woman decides to use her frozen eggs, they are thawed, and the viable eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory through IVF. This can involve either traditional IVF, where the sperm are placed in a dish with the eggs, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg.
embryo transfer After fertilization, the resulting embryo is cultured for a few days in the laboratory. Then, with the hope of achieving a successful pregnancy, one or more embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus.
How safe is egg freezing?
Egg freezing is generally considered safe, and the process has been performed successfully for many decades. However, it’s important to note that like any medical procedure, there are potential risks and considerations associated with egg freezing.
Here are some aspects to be aware of:
possible side effects
Ovarian stimulation procedures, which involve hormonal injections to stimulate egg production, can cause temporary side effects such as bloating, breast tenderness, mood changes and mild discomfort.
In rare cases, more serious complications can occur such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition characterized by enlarged ovaries and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. OHSS is generally managed by close monitoring and support from medical professionals.
egg retrieval risks
The egg retrieval procedure is performed under anesthesia, and although it is generally considered safe, there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. These risks include bleeding, infection, damage to surrounding tissues or organs, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. However, serious complications from egg retrieval are rare.
Effectiveness
The success of egg freezing depends on a variety of factors, primarily the age of the woman at the time of egg retrieval. Generally, the younger the woman, the greater the chances of success. Older women may have fewer eggs available, and the quality of eggs may decline, which may affect the success of future pregnancies.
ethical considerations
There may be ethical concerns regarding the use of assisted reproductive technologies, including egg freezing. These concerns can vary depending on cultural, religious and personal beliefs. It is important for individuals to consider their values and consult with a healthcare provider to address any ethical concerns they may have.